EPA Collaboration with Vietnam

Building Strong Institutions and Legal Structures

• Between February and April 2021, EPA held a series of virtual technical exchanges with the Vietnam Environment Administration of MONRE to help strengthen Vietnam’s environmental quality standards. During this activity, EPA also developed a four-part series that provides an introductory overview of surface water quality standards, water quality monitoring, identification of impaired waters, and development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). View the training series. 
• In May 2019, EPA officials worked with the International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement to conduct a one-week technical program for MONRE to learn about environmental policies in the U.S. and in Taiwan. The program focused on environmental impact assessment (EIA), waste and wastewater management, and extended producer responsibility (EPR). View the program proceedings. 
• In September 2018, EPA partnered with the Hanns Seidel Foundation and MONRE to deliver a workshop on “Technology-Based Control Strategies for Managing Air and Water Pollution.” Participants from Vietnam gained information about the development of Best Available Technology standards from experts presenting U.S. and German approaches. They also learned guiding principles for development of effective standards, including stakeholder involvement and enforcement.
• Between April and May 2018, EPA officials worked with MONRE on strengthening environmental laws related to environmental impact assessment (EIA) and water permitting, including strengthening public participation in EIA processes in Vietnam.  
• In March 2018, EPA and MONRE partnered to hold a “Public Disclosures of Pollutant Discharges and Transfers” workshop for 20 MONRE officials and their partners. During the workshop, EPA shared information on the development and implementation of the U.S. Toxic Release Inventory program and discussed our experience with sharing environmental information with the public.  

Effective Environmental Planning:  EPA and Vietnam recognize that assessing the environmental impact of development is critical for strong environmental protection. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a tool to integrate economic and environmental concerns when planning for development of infrastructure.  EPA and Vietnam, in partnership with USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA), collaborated to improve EIA processes from 2015 to 2018. 

• Between August and September 2018, EPA partnered with the World Bank and MONRE to deliver two “train-the-trainer” sessions on EIA. MONRE is using this training to build the capacity of its new training institute, InNET, and deliver environmental protection training to MONRE and local government and academia in Vietnam. 
• In April 2018, EPA and Asia Institute for Technology Vietnam Learning Center on Environmental and Social Sustainability held a course for 24 Southeast Asian EIA practitioners on “Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in Energy Projects."  Participants gained knowledge on successful approaches to assess and mitigate environmental impacts of energy infrastructure projects. 
• Learn More: Mekong-U.S. Partnership

Reducing Exposure to Toxic Chemicals

Monitoring Mercury: Mercury is a potent neurotoxicant that negatively impacts human health and the environment. To better understand the atmospheric movement of mercury, the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA) participates in the Asia-Pacific Mercury Monitoring Network (APMMN) hosted by EPA, EPA Taiwan and the National Atmospheric Deposition Program. Through APMMN, VEA is monitoring mercury in rainwater and sharing data with other countries in the network to contribute to a regional understanding of where mercury travels and deposits. 

• Learn More:Asia-Pacific Mercury Monitoring Network (APMMN) 

Cleaning Up Dioxin: Since 2006, EPA has provided technical assistance for treatment of dioxin-contaminated sites in Vietnam. As part of this technical assistance, EPA contributed to the successful cleanup of Danang Airport.

Improving Air Quality for a Healthier Tomorrow